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Above: A gallery exhibit showing the ripple effect of mentoring is now on display at the Red Rock Center for the Arts in Fairmont. Jen Kahler, executive director of Kinship of Martin County, is pictured with two letters that will be featured on the show.
FAIRMONT – A unique gallery exhibit that highlights the ripple effects of mentoring is on display at the Red Crock Center for the Arts in Fairmont through September 17. The exhibition is organized by Kinship of Martin County.
Jen Kahler, executive director of Kinship of Martin County, said it was the first time they’ve hosted an event like this. She explained that the idea came from a storytelling certification course she took at an organization called The Hearth, based near Portland, Oregon.
“One of the things we’re supposed to do is come up with some sort of final project and that’s that final project for me,” Kahler said.
She said storytelling can take the form of traditional verbal storytelling or visual storytelling.
“Because my job is about mentoring, I thought it would be fun to do a narrative presentation focused on mentoring” she explained.
This led her to the idea of getting handwritten stories from people who had mentors who had an impact on their lives. Kahler reached out to Sonja Fortune at Red Rock Center to see if there was a bit of time to get into the show before the Red Rock floors were remade later this month.
“I knew I was going maybe a little out of my head, but I still wanted to try it” Kahler said.
She started reaching out to people asking for a handwritten story about someone who mentored them at some point in their lives. Now she has around 17 stories written from people in the community, including some from people involved in Kinship.
“Stories inspire others to tell stories. The hope with this is that people will watch and read the stories of other people who have been framed, it would make them think of someone who has framed them ”, Kahler said.
While Kahler is involved in Kinship and some of the stories originate from others in Kinship, she pointed out that the show is really about the larger story of mentoring.
She also sees it as a positive opportunity to connect with people.
“Much of what’s going on in the world right now is a dividing thing, but storytelling is something that generally tends to bring people together because you can’t dispute an experience someone has had. It’s not a matter of opinion but a part of who they are ”, Kahler said.
Kahler said the plan is to have an open mic night where people can come in and share a story about someone who mentored them or made a positive impact in their lives. This will take place on September 17th and will be open to the public. Kahler said they plan to have dessert available to celebrate the stories people have shared.
Another thing to celebrate is that 2020 was actually Kinship’s 20th anniversary in the community.
“Because Covid arrived, we didn’t have the chance to have a big party. I see this as a bit of a chance to celebrate the mentorship because we couldn’t do it last year ”, she said.
Kahler said that while it’s not some sort of formal birthday celebration, it’s a good time to honor the mentoring effort in Martin County. She said Kinship is still looking for mentors and there are currently around 25 children on the waiting list.
Just as the handwritten stories come from people of all ages and backgrounds, Kahler said Kinship mentors are ubiquitous.
“We have mentors who are just getting out of college and mentors who are over 70 years old. “ she said.
To learn more about mentorship opportunities at Kinship, visit kinshipofmartincounty.com. To view the exhibition of handwritten stories and photos, visit the Red Rock Center in Fairmont during gallery hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and after hours by appointment.
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